Fertilizer-distributer.



No. 875,539. PATENTED DEC. 31, 1907.

0. T. LITTLE.

FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTER.

APPLICATION FILED SEPT. 18, 1907.

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awuemfoz wihmoozo V No. 875,539. PATENTED DEC. 31, 1907.

0. 1. LITTLE. FERTILIZER DISTRIBUTER.

APPLICATION FILED $118,190?- 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

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UNITE ORA T. LITTLE, OF RIPLEY, NEW YORK.

FERTILIZEB-DISTRIBUTER.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 31, 1907.

Application filed September 18, 1907. Serial No. 393,469.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ORA T. LITTLE, a citizen of the United States,residing at -Ripley, in the county of Chautauqua, State of New York,have invented certain new and useful Improvements inFertilizer-Distributers, of which the following is a description,reference being had to the accompanying drawing and to the letters andfigures of reference marked thereon.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in fertilizerdistributors and has for its object to provide a device which willdistribute the fertilizer evenly.

My device is especially adapted for use in connection with gang plowsand is so located relative to said plows as to distribute an even layerof fertilizer on the ground in front of the plow, subsequently to theturning over of the ground, so that the fertilizer is properlydistributed and covered. It will be obvious however, that from certainaspects of my invention, the distributing device for the fertilizer maybe located in the rear of the plows, or may be used in connection withany other form of implement. It will also be obvious, that from certainaspects of my invention, the device may be used for distributing otherthings than fertilizer.

In the accompanying drawings which show by way of illustration oneembodiment of my invention: Figure 1 is a perspective view showing agang plow with my distributing device attached thereto. Fig. 2 is alongitudinal sectional view through the hopper. Fig. 3 is a transversesectional view through the hopper. showing the controlling devices forthe fertilizer. Fig. 5 is a sectional detail view showing the manner ofsupporting the bottom of the hopper so that the same may be vibrated.Fig. 6 is a detail view of one of the supporting rods. Fig. 7 is atransverse sectional view of a slightly modified form of hopper.

The gang plow 1 is of the usual construction. The framework thereof, iscarried on running wheels 3 and from said framework are supported plows2, 2, 2. Inasmuch as the gang plow forms no particular part of thepresent invention, further description thereof is not thought necessary.

'As a supporting and conveying means for the fertilizer, I have provideda hopper 5,

Fig. 4 is a sectional detail viewwhich as shown in Figs. 2 and 3 isprovided with a bottom 6, having a central horizontal portion andinclined side portions 7, 7. The sides of the hopper near the bottomedges thereof, are provided with cleats 8, 8, and the bottom 6 is heldclosely against said cleats. As a means for supporting the bottom 6, so

that the same may be vibrated, I have provided flexible supporting rods9, see Figs. '5 and 6. Said rods 9, extend through the bottom 6, and areprovided with a nut at the lower end. The rod 9, at the upper end isformed into a hook, which engages the eye or bolt 10, which is threadedand carries a nut 11 at its upper end.

The end portions 12 of the hopper, are recessed as at 13, see Fig. 5,and the rod 9 and bolt 10 are located in said recess 13. The nut 11engages a wear plate 14. The bottom 6 is supported by four rods 9connected to each of the four bolts 10.

It will be obvious that the bottom portion.

6 of the hopper carried by the rods 9,may swing endwise orlongitudinally relative to the hopper. As a means for swinging orvibrating the bottom 6, I have provided a shaft 15, which extendsthrough the hopper and is mounted in suitable bearings 16, 17, carriedby the hopper. Said shaft 15, carries a cam 18. An arm 19 is suitablysecured to the under side of the bottom portion 6 of the hopper and atits outer end is upturned and formed with an opening which extends overtheend of the shaft 15. connection between the arm 19 and the shaft 15serves as a means for steadying the arm 19. On the arm 19 is mounted aroller 20, which engages a cam groove 21 formed in the cam 18. As theshaft 15 rotates, the cam l8'will therefore, through the roller 20 andthe arm 19, cause the bottom portion of the hopper 6 to be movedlongitudinally. The shaft 15 at its opposite end carries a sprocketwheel 21. As a means for operating the sprocket wheel 21, I haveprovided a friction wheel 22 which is mounted in a bearing in the outerend of the arm 23, which is mounted on the bearing 17. The frictionwheel 22 is carried by one end of a short shaft extending through thearm 23 which carries a sprocket wheel 24.

A sprocket chain 25 or other suitable belt passes over the sprocketwheels 21 and 24.. An idler 26 is carried by anadjustable arm This 27,which is secured to the arm 23 by a bolt the bottom 6.

and slot 28. The idler 26 engages the sprocket chain 25, and serves as abelt tightener. The arm 23 which is pivotally mounted on the bearing 17is free to swing around the same and the weight of the parts carried bysaid arm holds the friction wheel 22 in contact with the driving wheel 3of the gang plow.

As an additional means for holding the friction. wheel in contact withthe driving wheel, I have provided a spring 29 which is secured at oneend by means of a rod. 30 to the arm 23 and is secured at its other endto a portion of the supporting frame of the gang plow. It will be seenthat said spring exerts a pull upon the arm 23 and thus holds thefriction wheel 22 firmly in driving contact with the driving wheel 3.

It will be obvious that from certain aspects of my invention, othermeans from that herein described, may be used for driving the shaftwhich vibrates the bottom portion of the hopper.

The bottom 6 is provided with a series of openings 31 which arepreferably shaped so as to taper towards the outer surface of thebottom. These openings in the bottom 6, serve as a means through whichthe fertilizer is distributed.

As a means for controlling the outflow of the fertilizer through theopenings 31, I have provided an auxiliary support 32 for the fertilizer.Said auxiliary support as clearly shown in Figs. 3 and 4, is V-shaped incross section and extends the whole length of the hopper (see Fig. 2).Said auxiliary support is provided with end pieces 33, which lie closeto the end portions 12 of the hopper. As a means for supporting theauxiliary support for the fertilizer 32, I have provided the threadedrods 34, which are located in grooves formed in the end walls 12, 12 ofthe hopper and are secured at one end to the auxiliary support 32, whilethe opposite ends of the thread rods 34 extend through wear plates 35,mounted on the upper edge of the hopper and nuts 36 serve as a means forraising and lowering the auxiliary sup port. Said auxiliary support asclearly shown in Fig. 3 terminates a short distance from the bottom 6,and the fertilizer which is located in the hopper gradually leads un derthe lower edge of the auxiliary support 32 and finds its way out of theopenings 31 in the bottom 6 which is constantly under vibration. Theauxiliary support 32 carries the weight of the mass of the fertilizerand allows the same to be fed gradually to the openings in the vibratingbottom.

As an auxiliary means for stirring the fertilizer and assisting in thefeed, I have provided the disks 37, which are mounted on the shaft 15and rotated therewith. There is a disk 37 located adjacent each opening31 in From certain aspects of my invention however, the disks are anunnecessary element and may be omitted.

In the operation of my device, it will be apparent from the abovedescription, the hopper 5 is filled with the fertilizer and as themachine stands at rest, the mass of fertilizer is supported by theauxiliary support 32, together with the bottom 6, which of course is notin operation and no fertilizer will be fed to the openings in'thebottom. As soon however, as the implement is put into motion, thedriving wheel 3 is turned and the friction wheel 22, will cause theshaft 15 to rotate. As the shaft 15 rotates, the bottom portion 6 of thehopper, will be vibrated back and forth and the fertilizer will passthrough the openings 31.

It will be noted that in my device, there are no valves which are openedand closed, and therefore, I am enabled to spread. evenly, thefertilizer upon the ground instead of leav ing the same in drills or inlittle piles as is usually done where the feed is intermittent.

I have found that there are great advantages resulting from the evendistribution of the fertilizer, for the reason of the fact that theentire surface of the ground is practically covered with a thinsprinkling of the ferti lizer.

When it is desired to increase the amount of fertilizer distributed, theauxiliary support 32 is slightly raised. so that the space betweenthesaid support and the bottom is in creased and a greater amount offertilizer will then pass through to the openings 31.

I have also found that by making the openings in the bottom 32 taperedin form and by vibrating said bottom which is so arranged that there isno obstruction whatever to the fertilizer after passing through theopenings in the bottom, I' am thereby enabled to distribute thefertilizer much more evenly.

In Fig. 7 of the drawing, I have provided the hopper with cleats orsupports 38 which are carried by the side portions of the hopper andextend underneath the bottom 6 and serve as an auxiliary supportingmeans for said bottom portion.

Having thus particularly described my invention, what I claim as new anddesire to secure by Letters Patent is 1. A fertilizer distributerincluding in combination a hopper, a vibrating bottom having openingstherein, and means located within and centrally of the hopper forcontrolling the amount of the fertilizer fed through said openings.

2. A fertilizer distributer including in combination a hopper, avibrating bottom having openings therein, means located within andcentrally of the hopper for controlling the amount of the fertilizer fedthrough said openings, and devices for controlling the position of saidfeed adjusting means.

3. A fertilizer distributer including in combination a hopper, a movablebottom carried thereby, and having openings therein, means for vibratingsaid bottom, auxiliary supporting means for the fertilizer locatedwithin and centrally of said hopper and spaced from said movable bottom,for controlling the amount of fertilizer fed through said openings.

4. A fertilizer distributer including in combination a hopper, a movablebottom carried thereby and having openings therein, means for vibratingsaid bottom, auxiliary supporting means for the fertilizer locatedWithin and centrally of said hopper and spaced from said movable bottomfor controlling the amount of fertilizer fed through said openings, andmeans for adjusting the position of the auxiliary supporting meanstoward and from said movable bottom.

5. A fertilizer distributer including in combination a hopper, a bottomhaving open-.

ings therein, means for suspending the bot tom, means for vibrating thebottom and means located within and centrally of the hopper forcontrolling the amount of the fertilizer fed through said openings.

6. The combination with a ground w0rking implement, supporting wheelstherefor,

a fertilizer distributer carried by said implement including a hopper,vibrating means for feeding the fertilizer from said hopper and afriction wheel engaging one of said supporting wheels for operating saidvibrating means and an adjustable device located Within and centrally ofthe hopper for controlling the amount of fertilizer fed by saidvibrating means.

7. The combination of a gang plow, supporting wheels therefor, a hoppercarried thereby, a shaft located in said hopper, feedmg mechanism forthe fertilizer controlled by said shaft, an arm pivoted to swing aboutthe axis of said shaft, a sprocket wheel car ried by said arm, afriction disk carried by said arm and secured to said sprocket wheel, asprocket Wheel carried by said shaft, a sprocket chain for gearing thefirst named sprocket wheel to the sprocket wheel carried by the shaftand a spring for holding the friction wheel in engagement with one ofthe supporting Wheels, of said plow.

8. A fertilizer distributer including a hopper, a shaft located in saidhopper, a movable bottom carried by said hopper and having openingstherein, a cam on said shaft, means operated by said cam for vibratingsaid bottom, auxiliary supporting means for the fertilizer Within saidhopper.

9. A fertilizer distributer including a hopper, a shaft located in saidhopper, a movable bottom carried by said hopper and having openingstherein, a cam on said shaft, means operated by said cam for vibratingsaid bottom, and auxiliary supporting means for the fertilizer withinsaid hopper, and means for adjusting the position of the auxiliarysupporting device.

10. A fertilizer distributer including a hopper, a shaft located in saidhopper, a movable bottom carried by said hopper and having openingstherein, a cam on said shaft, means operated by said cam for vibratingsaid bot- I tom and auxiliary supporting means for the fertilizer withinsaid hopper, disks carried by said shaft and located between saidauxiliary supporting means and said bottom.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature, in presence of two Witnesses.

ORA T. LITTLE.

Witnesses:

P. L. HAWKINS, E. E. LA Duo.

